GET ME AN ‘ACE’ - ‘BULL’ COACH

MBABANE – Without a doubt, Mbabane Highlanders coach Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya is among the few already having the toughest jobs at the moment in their clubs.

His team may have failed to win the inaugural MoMo Cup despite being clear favourites; it is losing to Moneni Pirates twice that has seen him under enormous pressure in the team. He leads a star-studded team that finished as runners-up in the MTN Premier League last season to qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. A number of signings have been added this season, with the hope of adding more silverware in their cabinet with major knockouts expected to return, like the Ingwenyama Cup and new ones. The signings include former Eswatini international and Royal Leopard’s speedy winger Bonginkosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini, ex-Green Mamba forward Musa Dlamini, former Vovovo defender Aristote Tamuzi, ex-Manzini Sea Birds and Ezulwini United defensive midfielder Ndumiso ‘Sikhokho’ Shongwe, among others.

With these stars, including deadline day signing Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze, the expectation is high and last Sunday was evidence of  that, after the team lost to Pirates for the second consecutive time this season. Pirates licked Highlanders 1-0 in the MTN Premier League and won in a penalty shootout in the MoMo Cup semis. “It is too much to bear for any fans. When you have all the quality at your disposal you must know the pressure is too much because the expectation from supporters will always be too high. After what happened when the team had to leave the dressing rooms, the coach has asked for help in the technical bench,” an impeccable source said.

The source said Makhanya knew and understood the supporters’ expectations and that was why he was not shy to concede he needed help. “He recommended ‘Ace’ to the MD I am told but as to what will happen, it remains the sole decision of the MD,” the source said. Highlanders’ Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe, did not hide his sadness over the weekend loss. “I don’t think anyone in the team can hurt as I am right now and also very disappointed. How can we lose to Pirates twice in a short space of time? I’m certainly working on the technical bench issues as clearly we need to do something but I want to bring in someone who will make the team play the way it must be playing,” he responded without wanting to go into the (‘Ace’) matter.

However, he was again asked about it and he admitted that Makhanya did request for assistance but at the moment, bringing back Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala was an option. The latter left unceremoniously after the 2-0 loss to the Royal AM in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup over a month ago. “While I make my search for the right coach here, ‘Sly’ may have to return there to hold the fort until I find a coach,” Kgomongwe said. Kgomongwe was aware of the events that unfolded after the defeat to Pirates as the team was held hostage by its supporters for what they termed a substandard performance while also after Makhanya for what they termed poor selection.

He said the supporters had to calm down as he was also just as disappointed and that was the reason he was doing something about it before it was too late. Highlanders are currently second on the log table after four matches, with two wins, one draw and a defeat but could drop to third if Madlenya beat Nsingizini today. Meanwhile, efforts to get Makhanya proved futile as he was not reached on his phone at the time he was sought.

... if Ally says yes, I’ll help – ‘Ace’

MBABANE – It is only a matter of Mbabane Highlanders Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe giving the instruction for coach Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini.

As supporters call for a shake-up in the technical bench led by Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya who finds himself under enormous pressure after losing twice to Moneni Pirates in a short space of time, ‘Ace’s name has come up. He is the Charity Cup 2019 winner, with the black and white ensemble and current Highlanders coach, Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya has asked for help.
In the wake of this past Sunday’s MoMo Cup semi-finals exit after, a penalty shootout against Pirates, Makhanya and the team were blocked at the dressing rooms by the team’s angry supporters. The soft-spoken former Green Mamba gaffer contacted Ace.

“The fact that it’s him who has approached me is what humbles me most. He is the one who knows what he needs. He has come to me and I went to him at the training ground but he’s not the authority of the team. If he successfully pursues his plea, then I’ll have no problem because this is like home to me. If its Ally who tells me I can work with ‘DU’, then any day I’m ready to do so. I’ve worked with Highlanders in Ally’s time and I can return if he says so,” the league winning coach with Young Buffaloes said when asked if he was aware his name had been recommended at Highlanders.

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‘Ace’ said that Makhanya was in a big team at Highlanders whereby results matter for their image to thrive, so if he wanted help, he was ready to offer it so long as it came from the right person and that was the team’s MD, Kgomongwe. It remains to be seen what will happen but Kgomongwe said he was currently taking the time to make the right pick as bringing a new coach was not in doubt. He also mentioned he could bring in recently departed Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala, who was also under pressure with the supporters during his tenure since taking over from Ernest Mavuso who he found unbeaten after nine league games last season.

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